All-in-one, or bring your own.
To build your project, MaxChef needs two things: an AI that writes the code, and a safe place to keep the code. You can use ours, use your own, or mix them.
The AI that writes your code
MaxChef AI (all-in-one): there is nothing to set up. We use our own AI accounts to build your project, and you pay for it with AI credits. One credit is 5¢ of what the AI costs us.
- Every month comes with 100 credits. Unused monthly credits don't carry over.
- Need more? Buy 100 credits for $10, on your task board or your Billing page. Bought credits never expire, and we use them only after your monthly credits.
- When you run out, the AI pauses. It starts again when you buy credits or next month's credits arrive.
- We never bill you afterwards for AI. You only pay for credits you choose to buy.
- Your task board shows how many credits you have left, and each finished task shows how many it used.
Your own AI: connect your own ChatGPT or Anthropic account. That company bills you directly, and MaxChef adds nothing.
Example: a small change often uses a few credits; a bigger feature can use 20 or more. A month that needs 160 credits uses your 100 monthly credits plus 60 from a 100-credit pack, and the other 40 wait for later.
Where your code lives
Use your own GitHub if you like, or use ours for free.
MaxChef's GitHub (free): we keep your code private in our GitHub. Every one of your repositories is named customer-… and marked as a customer project, so it is always clear the code is yours, not ours. Only your projects can reach it. Want to move it to your own GitHub later? Just ask us.
Your own GitHub: connect your GitHub account, and your code goes there.
Building and publishing your site
MaxChef builds and publishes every site with MaxVolts, our own build service. We don't use GitHub Actions, so building never costs you GitHub minutes, and there is nothing to set up.
Change your mind any time
Go to Billing to switch. If you turn off MaxChef AI, any credits you bought stay on your account for later. New projects follow your GitHub choice; projects you already have keep their code where it is.